President and 26 others inducted into Phi Kappa Phi

University of North Georgia (UNG) President Bonita Jacobs has added another accolade to her list of accomplishments. She is a member of the Phi Kappa Phi honor society, the nation's oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines.

Jacobs, two UNG deans and 24 other faculty and students were inducted into the UNG chapter of Phi Kappa Phi on Nov. 18.

Dr. John Leyba, dean of the College of Science and Mathematics at UNG, was one of the inductees. He delivered a talk at a previous Phi Kappa Phi induction ceremony and looked forward to joining.

"I wanted to do this a year ago, but life got in the way," he said. "I'm thrilled that I can join this year."

Student inductees included Tawney Anderson, Hooria Ashraf, Kaylan Bryant, Melinda Burnette, Jolene Cole, Jason Costa, Kimberly Costa, Theresa Colquitt, Stephanie Fairchild, Colton Glaze, Audrey Gleason, Cassidy Graham, Emily Harris, Makayla Kittelson, Kelli Knowles, Joseph Maddox, Amelia Mathis, Jennifer McCarthy, April Nichols Clemens, Subhasree Sridhar, and Benjamin Yetman. Faculty inducted were Dr. Sheri Hardee, dean of the College of Education; Dr. Mohan Menon, head of management and marketing department; Dr. Jennie Jones, assistant professor in the College of Education; and Dr. Caroline Muñoz, associate professor of marketing in the Mike Cottrell College of Business.

In addition to the initiation, UNG's chapter of Phi Kappa Phi was recognized as a Circle of Excellence Gold Chapter. The award is given to chapters that exceed expectations in chapter operations and demonstrate sustainability and vitality. It is the second-highest commendation a chapter can receive.

"Our UNG chapter is honored to receive this recognition. We are an active chapter, and we are proud to have our efforts acknowledged," said Dr. Danielle Hartsfield, UNG's chapter president and associate professor in the College of Education.

By receiving the Gold distinction, the UNG chapter is recognized as a thriving organization that holds annual initiations, upholds the society bylaws, regularly attends chapter training opportunities, and submits a chapter-endorsed nominee to the Phi Kappa Phi Fellowship Program.